Offered an abortion at 18 weeks
How would it make you feel?

I'm struggling to work out my feelings with what happened at the GP on Thursday, and would like to hear some outside opinions.

I have depression. I went to the GP to request a referral for a psychologist. I said that I'm not coping well with my pregnancy, and am worried about what will happen when the baby is born, my emotional well being etc.

He offered me an abortion, but said I'd have to hurry with the decision.

I wouldn't be offended. It seems like a practical response to an untenable situation. Aren't abortions meant (legally speaking) for when a woman's physical or emotional well being are threatened by her pregnancy?

It also might be a clever way to trigger your positive and protective instincts towards your pregnancy.

I don't think any of us can judge whether what the GP offered is horrendous or not. We do not know the OP's state of mind, nor her mental background. Nor if there are any other physical issues with the pregnancy.

OP, I hope the GP has given you the mental health refrerral and that you find some help. In my opinion, I would be relieved that there was an option available if needed, but not offended that it was suggested.

If you feel your are really struggling and at risk of harming yourself or others, please seek urgent help at your local hospital or call one of the depression assistance lines like BeyondBlue.

I watched a dear friend mentally struggle with her unexpected pregnancy (was told she was infertile and they had already adopted). She struggled through the pregnancy without any help and ended up in hospital with severe PND.

I personally find it odd that you went to him seeking help from a psychologist and he offers an abortion?? Rather than first trying to help you deal with your stresses. So out of all things to talk about, aka the stress, what's bothering you ways to go about it, he mentions abortion?

While it's upsetting I don't think it's anything to be offended Or furious about. He was doing his job, letting you know what is available. Unless he pushed you to do it after you said it wasn't an option then I don't see the issue.

I would probably be upset by it OP. But being on the outside looking in I can understand why it was offered. Even though you were asking for something else he may have thought you didn't know it was still possible or felt too much shame/guilt to ask for it.

I relate to you OP. pregnant with a surprise baby and was asked if i'd like an abortion (in the very early days) by the GP.

I was taken back. not sure why. it's a very emotional thing to deal with to begin with, but then to have someone come out and ask can be a shock.

I hope you got the referral you asked for. I take my hat off to you for being proactive in reaching out for help.i'm 2 weeks overdue with our "surprise" and still finding it hard to get my head around the fact that there is indeed a baby coming. get the best help you can well in advance of babies arrival.

OP, I'm undecided as to whether it was ok for the doctor to offer an abortion in this instance or not, but I guess he was just trying to "do the right thing" and offer you all the options. However, as someone who lost a baby at 18 weeks and knows what that really looks like, the thought of deliberately terminating at that stage makes me thoroughly ill. OP, I'm so sorry that you're having an awful time in this pregnancy and I hope you get the best help for you soon xoxo

I'd figure the GP was doing their job to let me know all available options if I was clearly unhappy. I had Pre-Natal Depression, myself, and no, abortion wasn't an option for me personally, but I wouldn't have been offended at the mention of it. I would've just said "No, no, not happening." and that would've been it.

I had perinatal depression while pregnant with DS. I have had issues with anxiety and depression before, but had been fine for a number of years before falling pregnant. Within a few weeks of falling pregnant, I felt like this dark cloud descended over me. I was depressed, anti social and struggled with normal day to day interactions.

I saw a psychiatrist every couple of weeks throughout the pregnancy, and it really helped to be able to talk through my issues without judgement. I was offered medication. but decided I would try to go without it, knowing it was there as an option if I really needed it. It was a really difficult time, and I was worried about how I would cope after I had the baby. A few days after I had DS, it was like the cloud lifted, and I was fine, so I guess in my case it was hormone related.

I would have been a little shocked if I'd been offered an abortion, but I do think the doctor is only doing their job in trying to present all of the available options.

When you're depressed there is a tendency to read darker intention into people's words. He may have floated the idea to clarify how you were feeling and to make sure you knew about time limits for terminations. Not everyone does know when it's legal to get an abortion.

You've said he was a good GP. It's possible he had your best interests at heart and was simply covering off on all options. For some women, it might be a wonderful thing to have someone suggest termination without judgement.

It's also possible he was being small minded but if he was, he's still just one person and his opinions aren't that relevant to you.

I understand that what the GP said may cause offence to some, but I think the GP was just maintaining their duty of care to a patient. He was doing his job. He gave you an option which you could either take or not.

I think there would be a bigger problem if there were no options available or if you had a doctor who wasn't going to tell you what your options were.

I had perinatal depression. I would have been horrified at the suggestion of abortion. Espcailly as there would have been no doubt the baby was very much wanted. It would have messed my head up.

Depression during pregnancy can be treated. I took Antidepressants and saw a psychiatrist while pregnant with DD2 and 3. I did not get to the bad place I was in after I had DD1 (did not get diagnosed till after I had her).

With the right support and treatment you can manage this. Support is the key. Well done for admitting you need help.

While it's upsetting I don't think it's anything to be offended Or furious about. He was doing his job, letting you know what is available. Unless he pushed you to do it after you said it wasn't an option then I don't see the issue.

I personally would be really upset - and I think that the abortion would make the depressiOn that much more worse as woman with no depression struggle with the after math of abortions. I hope that you work everything out. It is normal to have emotional days when you are pregnant as your hormones are out of control at times x

There's a big difference between telling you that an abortion is still possible and telling you that this is what you ought to do.

It's his job to tell you that it's an option. You are offended; for some women this may be an option that they didn't know existed. It would be negligent if he didn't tell you this was an option, and also tell you that you would need to proceed quickly if this is what you wanted. He would know that no late term termination would go ahead without specialist counselling, and that many women go to 'termination counseling' and come away choosing to have their baby.

In spite of being in an almost constant state of motion while looking after the kids and trying to keep things together at home, it can seem as though parents have managed to get nothing on the to-do list done by the end of the day.

A French court may have ruled out Nutella as a baby name, but that doesn't have to stop you from taking inspiration from the supermarket (or bottle shop). See what parents in the US have chosen for their delicious little ones.